La Boheme - Baz Luhrmann's Production of Puccini's La Boh Me on Broadway [Original Cast Recording] [CD]

Tremendous excitement surrounded Baz Luhrmann's new Broadway production of Puccini's La Boh￨me this past week. Excitement from lovers of this opera, thrilled by the spectacular sets and singing. Excitement from audiences new to this masterpiece; overwhelmed by the glorious melodies and a story as potent today as 100 years ago. The fact that the cast recording from this production has done unbelievably well further supports the fact that opera can appeal to contemporary audiences. This recording is pure magic; one is surrounded by the sights and fragrances of the poignant story and wrapped in the grandeur of the music. You'll want to fly to New York to see this production once you've experienced the power of the cast recording.

As the opera opens, Rodolfo has just met Mimi for the first time and is telling her about himself. He begins with simple mundane facts, but as her beauty begins to intoxicate him, his description turns to how deeply she moves him. Mimi's reaction to Rodolfo's questions about her are at first reserved. A single pitch wavers in mid air, but the temptation to bare her soul to this charming poet proves too much and words gush forward. She sings of the world's gentle magic and of her passions and dreams.

We discover that she is lonely and seldom attends church, though her deep faith swells in the music as she talks about praying. Puccini's art is stunning; we've grown to know these characters, and to see parts of ourselves in their words. Their desires erupt in one of the most magnificent duets in all of music. Rodolfo's joy knows no limits as his words fan the desire in both their souls. Finally, unable to contain herself, Mimi joins Rodolfo, singing that love will guide them.

One of the most delightful moments in the opera takes place in the second act, as Musetta, an ex-lover of Marcello, enters a cafe with a wealthy old man. As soon as she sees Marcello, her emotions are immediately aroused, and she sings a song of how very sensuous it is to ignite the desires of every man she meets. The searing heat of Musetta's words only rekindle the ardor of Marcello, who grows so agitated that he has to be held back. A teasing comic interaction develops, until Marcello can no longer deny his love for Musetta, and launches into the song that Musetta had been using to tease every man in the cafe. This time the words are filled with fire, as he describes his loneliness and desire for Musetta. For her part, Musetta comments on how much she has missed Marcello, while trying to fight of the wealthy old man who had been escorting her.

The final scene of this opera will leave you weeping, as Mimi dies from tuberculosis in the arms of Rodolfo. Puccini's command of the music is extraordinary. First we hear the alarm in Rodolfo's voice as he realizes that Mimi will not live. Instantly this is followed by a cool breeze, as the gay music from their first days together returns. Another musical shift and we see the comforting Rodolfo trying to nurse Mimi to health. Mimi slowly drifts off surrounded by the music that imbued her brief days and nights with Rodolfo with such joy. Rodolfo's friends realized that she has died, and in one of the most explosive moments in all opera, Rodolfo also realizes, and his heart wrenching cry of "Mimi" roars through the night air.

It is the undeniable ability of La Boh￨me to summon the experiences in all of our lives that has made this opera such a vital work for over 100 years. In La Boh￨me, we look deep into ourselves, summoning our fears, anger, and most all, pride. In Rodolfo and Mimi we witness our loneliness, we feel that joy at the first flicker of love, and we despair the vicious brutality of death. It's no mystery that La Boh￨me is a huge hit on Broadway, because it has always touched audiences. Audiences simply need only discover what has been there the whole time.

By Perri M. Zimmerman